“Those detectives on that island are the only ‘official’ help we’ve had from this government in 25 years.

“And well done The Sun. You’ve well and truly slapped us in the face.”

Earlier this year, the force secured 450,000 from the Home Office to help in the search.

‘Working really hard’

Ben vanished after travelling to the island with his mother and grandparents who were renovating a run-down farmhouse building in the village of Iraklis.

Det Sup Matt Fenwick told the paper the team was “desperately” trying to find the youngster and that officers were “working really hard”.

He said: “We were up at seven this morning and we’ve got officers still out now (at 20:30) interviewing people.

“What I can say is that no public money was spent on alcohol.”

Kerry told the programme the officer in question was “an amazing detective.”

“He has been by our side for a few years now and we have never had any problem with his work,” she said.

“These police officers, they are human beings at the end of the day. What they choose to do in their own time is their business, not anybody else’s.”

Image caption The police press conference was held at the farmhouse where Ben disappeared on 24 July 1991

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “We’re absolutely committed to this investigation and require the highest possible standards from all of those involved. The team must now get on with the important task in hand.

“Following concerns raised regarding the behaviour of some of those involved, the senior officer has been recalled to the UK with immediate effect to provide the details of exactly what has happened. An internal investigation will follow.”